Thanks - is this a common problem with the Focus/Fords? I think the light is more to do with indicating the level of fluid than it being a wiring fault (it's a dim light but visible, and it lights up fully when the handbrake is applied) - and then I'm concerned that if it is the level of brake fluid it means that the brakes themselves will need replacing - more expense after Christmas is not what I needed!

I would have thought that the car would have lasted a bit longer before coming up with monthly faults - it's been stood for two weeks over Christmas, and then the drive down was in the face of some strong snow/sleet, but nothing that I wouldn't expect a car to deal with.

Thanks - that's the kind of reassurance I wanted/needed!

Once the light comes on is the car unsafe to drive? Or would a short trip still be potentially acceptable (as long as I don't hammer the brakes?)

Managed to do this in the early hours of this morning - not great lighting but enough to take a look at what was there; must say that the fluid looks pretty full to me!

Started the car up, and the light is still dimly lit when the handbrake is off - so perhaps it is wiring? Is there anything else that the light could be asking me to check?